Urge - Graffiti Artist Interview

October 2009

In depth interview with Urge which gives a lesson in history from the inside of the UK graffiti scene in the 80's. Urge was a heavy hitter on the London Underground with his unique 'butterfly letters' style and over the years has painted with AKS Crew, W3K Crew, BCY Crew and TUS Crew to name but a few!

Where are you based?

Well, Polo 2 and the real Urge is from East London but an Essex boy now.

When did you begin painting graffiti and what made you start?

I started back in '83 when I saw some sketches from kids at school, straight away I realised that it was for me and got to work. I started going out in the school lunch breaks and painting outlines of characters heads with ski masks and bobble hats, pure old B-Boy shit, around Upton Park and Plaistow. At this point nobody was going out and doing it with me and so purely keeping dog. I really didn't have anybody to bounce off at that time.

Where did you paint your first piece?

I painted it at London Road, East Ham on a metal shed kind of thing and it was pure shite, I really can't remember what it said.

How did you choose the name Urge?

That was easy, it discribed my drive to do it, it's exactly what I felt. For me, that is exactly what a tag should represent. As any real writer would know, the graff shit gets under your skin and becomes a feeling… it is a whole way of life. It does surprise me now the fact that some people come up with these names and I think what / why? But wtf do I know.

Do you write under or have you written under any other names?

When I started back in '83 I was writing Polo 2, mainly cos I ate too many of the things, this was up until about 85/86 when there was a crossover period for both tags. When I first wrote Urge it was Urge 250 utilising the 2 from Polo 2 with 50 (my fucking door number, doh!). The numbers soon got dropped. When we created W3K Crew / ESK Crew (We 3 Kings / East Side Kings) I was writing King Urge, you can imagine how that went down!

Which crews do you currently write with and which crews have you written with in your time?

Back in the 80's our / my crews were:

• AKS Crew / AKZ Crew (Arse Kickers Crew)
• W3K Crew (We 3 Kings)
• ESK Crew (East Side Kings)
• BCY Crew (Bad Company)

I spent a period of time with TCB Crew (The Crime Bandits) and SFX Crew (Special Effects) on separate occasions. Although there was much rivalry between the two crews dogging and dissing each other which I was never part of. I was later joined by Freehand (SFX) and Sure (TCB) to form W3K / ESK.

BCY Crew was more a group of friends: Urge, RT Fax, Hert, Raid and Frez.

AKS Crew / AKZ Crew was Urge, Cause, Rep and Kanz.

DPC Crew were a cool bunch of up and coming lads at that time and we worked together on several projects - especially Krane / Crane, who was a young accomplise for a time.

Nowadays it'd be:

• AWE Crew
• DPC Crew
• ACR Crew
• CBM Crew
• WRH Crew
• NHS Crew
• TUS Crew
• SOF Crew
• TCS Crew

…among others I'm sure.

How would you describe your style?

Shit, do I have one? I no longer feel that I have 'a style'. I guess the Urge in the late 80's had the signature flick / butterfly letters (not named by me) for a period and the 'London' style, but I always tried to diversify. After becoming active again (after 19 years) it has been cool to hear and see how the 'Urge style' later influenced and progressed through other writers that now motivate me, it's mad how this shit turns around.

These days, my mission is to rock different styles purely for my own entertainment, now, every piece / style should be recognised purely on it's on merit rather than Urge's. I have no interest in seeking recognition for 'a style', I'm a has been and don't think it possible to re-accomplish what was done in my past, it's irreplacable.

I have a life time of influences and madness now that could never be reflected in 'a style'. When I've got my pipe 'n slippers I want to look back at a whole graf journey, not a variation or progression on the previous production.

Adrenalin and beef were two big factors that you couldn't escape in the game, you had to know how to look after yourself and you certainly wouldn't learn how to paint in a HOF, you had to earn your position.

Urge

Being from the 'old school' or 'golden era' of UK graffiti, how much would you say the scene differs now from back then and how have you seen it change over the years?

I may come across as an old bitch here, but bollox, IT'S UNRECOGNISABLE and it ain't graff as I knew it, although admittedly I am ignorant of seeing it's progression over a period of 19 years really, so it seems so alien to me. Back then, it was about going out and taking risks every day in order to get up… every day was a new adventure. You used to need a good set of balls on you to do what we did but any pansy can go and buy some paint and do it now in some shape or form. Adrenalin and beef were two big factors that you couldn't escape in the game, you had to know how to look after yourself and you certainly wouldn't learn how to paint in a HOF, you had to earn your position. Pieces had a long shelf life, unless some jealous toy prick took it out, but if you caught them, they'd get what was coming to them - even before they did anything in some cases. I ain't trying to sound like some bad boy ('cos I ain't) but you need to understand that it was based around a completely different mentality and whole way of life. Maybe this is still found in some illegal / train writers that are still doing it today? I wouldn't know, but I have the upmost respect for anybody that is still out there keeping it real now.

Now, it's very socialable and that's something that I wasn't back then, it was about sticking with your homies through the thick of it. I recall somebody making a comment to me quite recently saying "It's not a tea party" well, sorry mate, that's exactly what it is, purchased paint, a legal spot, a packed lunch and a good laugh with mates for as long as it takes. As for styles, back then, you either had 'style' or you didn't, now it's all segregated into anal sub scenes within a scene, and some of these letters and styles are in need of some corrective medication, and stencils? Woooooo, naa, you didn't dare, that's toy, but dare I say it, I love some of it now. I just can't believe that a whole commercial industry has been based around 'Graffiti'… Graf branded paint, nozzles, sponsorship and legal / tolerated locations wasn't why anybody from my generation got into it and built it's foundation. On the plus side, for me and many other 'old skool' heads, we wouldn't be doing it now if it was still as it was in the 80's.

With all that said, I may sound old, bitter and twisted (maybe I am?) but I'm fookin loving it now and I guess that you call it progression? In truth, what it has now become is all that I want.

Have you had to adapt your style and way of working over time to keep up with the changes in the graffiti scene?

I wouldn't say that I've adapted my style, I like to think that every session is an experiment as I've needed to find another way of making my graf an adventure, admittedly though, I will default to certain things during my regular brain freezes. I have inherited several new painting techniques and for that I have to mainly thank Reakt / Fable who is a fountain of knowledge, anybody that I paint with will know that I am not anally attached to my productions, my style, my way 'cos quite often I don't even know where I'm going with it until I actually get there. It can often be an emotional roller coaster and headache for me and whoever is painting next to me. Shit! now I probably sound like an art fag. I just try to outdo but at the same time please myself, that's the most important thing.

Did you used to hit the tube trains back in the day and if so then which lines were you most heavy on?

No, all sounds a bit dodgy to me, I have seen some remnants of a small proportion of Urge train pieces on the internet though. There were Little Met's, Dickys, Central's, BR's and freights, here's one guy that wasn't shy of the 'Bumpkin' lines back then.

How was the experience of painting on the underground and how much of an influence was the work being done on the Subway in New York?

There's nothing like hitting the steel, the adrenalin of getting in, the smell, that humming sound and although you are concentrating on your output there is a very hightened awareness of everything around you, you are totally tuned in. Obviously, the New York thing was a huge inspiration.

Any stories to tell from yor tube painting days?

Several, lol!

Did you used to hang out at the Covent Garden 'writers bench' with the likes of The Chrome Angels, Colt 45, Sham 59, Fuel, etc? How was the vibe at Covent Garden then?

It was happy days at Covent, it really was the only place to meet the best heads and show your work at the time. If I'm honest, that really was the only place where I'd go to socialise with other writers on occasion. A lot of the writers here would be planning the next hit somewhere within the city that night. For me, it was about dominating the East side.

Do you still keep in touch with any of the people you used to write with back in the day?

Yeah:

• Raid
• Crane
• Boast / Vino
• Cause
• RT Fax
• Hert

Did you ever get to paint with The Chrome Angels?

No, if I'm honest, they were at another level and as far as I am aware they weren't grimey. Don't get me wrong, I had a lot of respect for what they were doing but for me back then it was all about doing what you shouldn't, taking the risks n getting dirty. I'd say that about 10% of my graff back then was legal / tolerated. Graffiti WAS a criminal act no matter how much we tried to butter it up back then.

I'm gonna sound really anal here but feel that I was one of the pioneers in the east end, when I began in '83 I really had to teach myself, nobody was around me to really push me forward… I had to learn the hard way.

Urge

When you began writing and painting graffiti who did you look to as being the pioneers of the scene, either in the UK or abroad?

I'm gonna sound really anal here but feel that I was one of the pioneers in the east end, when I began in '83 I really had to teach myself, nobody was around me to really push me forward… I had to learn the hard way. People really have got it so easy now with the internet, it took courage just to go out and look at graffiti in most areas. Once I'd later found my feet I'd say The Chrome Angels, Non Stop, Casbee, ACR and AWE among others.

How much do you think some of the more 'underground' music of the 80's (such as Acid House or U.S. 'Golden Age' Hip-Hop) influenced the UK graffiti scene because artists such as Goldie and 3D of Massive Attack were painting graf in the 80's weren't they?

Well, the Jack / Acid House killed it for me, I found a new adventure and shelved the graff while I was ahead.

Speaking of Goldie and 3D, do you remember the graffiti documentary "Bombin'" which was shown on Channel 4 and if so what did you think about it? Do you think that the fact this was shown on UK television shows just how much the 'youth' at the time were interested in graffiti culture?

It didn't float my boat, 'Style Wars' is king!

Moving more into the present day, what are you feelings on the graffiti scene in London and the UK at present?

For me, London will always be the heart of UK graff, but the quality of graff has improved sooo much all over the UK and Internationally. What saddens me is no matter who it is done by or how sick it is, it is worthless, other than the day, the company and photograph. There is no respect or picking order in the scene any more. Walls have become a daily recyclable medium so much that we look to the internet rather than the original location. I'd love to stick everybody including myself in a time machine n take em back 25 years.

Have you ever done any collaborations with artists overseas or travelled abroad for your art and if so then where is the most exciting or interesting place you have painted?

No, not as yet, that's something I admire about Drax, he is a fucking World Dominator… he should get himself a job, ha-ha.

Have you ever done any commercial work and if so what would you say was your most well known piece?

Yes, but nothing major. I've done a few shops and youth projects but that aint why I got into this game. When I was doing that stuff it was purely to aquire more paint for what I really wanted to do. That's not to say that it won't happen these days.

Have you ever had any of your work published in any books or magazines?

If I'm honest, I really wouldn't even know… it's not the sort of thing that I look or push for. The real people know the real shit regardless.

Is there any one point in your career you would class as 'your big break'?

No, not really… it ain't no career in my mind.

Have you ever had your work displayed in galleries and if so is there any one show which stands out from all the rest?

No, I suppose that showing your work in galleries can be a great social event and if your lucky you may make a few bob, but I never did it for that reason. Things have changed dramatically and it's not to say that I might contribute towards that kinda thing but a gallery says nothing about real graffiti, not that I do what I would consider real graffiti these days.

What are your thoughts on graffiti being just a likely to be found in a gallery as on the streets these days?

Well, I guess that you'd call it progress but it ain't really graffiti as I knew it, graffiti style art? What do I know?

There seems to have been a sudden surge of interest in graffiti and street art recently, why do you think this is?

Banksy and fookin' stencils!

There is a very fine line between those who see graffiti as art and those who see it as vandalism, what are your views on this?

It's both.

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

What I prefer and what I do now are two completely different things done for different reasons. I'm now an adult with huge responsibilities but give me a time machine and you know where the real Urge would be doing real graf.

Have you ever 'felt the long arm of the law' because of your art and if so could you tell us a little about it?

Yes, they knew exactly who they had with enough evidence and I consider myself very lucky not to have been banged up.

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

Naa, not now, I've nothing to hide. I'm maybe too nice and approachable if anything, unless you piss me off… ha-ha!

Do you see yourself as an artist or a graffiti writer?

Now, neither. I used to be a 'graffiti artist'.

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken for your art?

Crawling under a train while live, fucking scary and damn stupid.

Which other artists work do you admire?

Well, I consider myself very lucky, as for most, it's the ones that I paint with. For piecing…

• Merc ACR - The King of 'Real Graff' styles, the guy can put spins on a style that he had 20 years ago and still make it fresh as fook! Nobody tops him on style for me.
• Keen - The King of flow (and ginger nutz). Seriously, the guys got some great letter formation and keeps true to the game, he does some of the ugliest colour scemes that he somehow gets to work. Whats more, apparently, I was a big inspiration to him which is always cool.
• Corze and Score - The Kings of what I would consider 'Concept Pieces'. Score manages to come up the the craziest themes, the guys a machine. Corze is a real risk taker that occasonally fucks up (which I love, ha-ha) and then comes back with a fookin' ball breaker, big respect to him.
• Reakt - The guy's got some heavy technique, his can control just winds me up, the guys tight enough to piece your Nans living room.
• Brave - He's the only person that I would consider puts his personality into his characters, he's a dynamic genious… I love him.
• Trans1 - Come on, you've gotta love him… monotone photo realism as good as it gets. His shit's more real on the wall than it is in the photo.
• Shye - Watching him cracks me up, he's like a western gun slinger but with cans of paint… his skemes just rock.
• Crane - We go way back, we was my fill in guy years back and now he's so crisp you want to peel the piece off the wall n' take it home with ya.
• Tizer - He has what I consider 'Lazy Letters' (I know what I mean), just gotta love his fills, characters and technique.

For bombing…

• Robbo and Doze - Those guys really came through, they were seen up more than anybody in the early days… untouchable.
• Drax - He came a bit later but well made made up for it and now he's a global hitter.

Which other artist would you most like to work with if you were given the chance?

Probably somebody with a massive ego that I wouldn't want to feed.

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Spray Paint.

What is your colour of choice?

Mmm, tricky one… trans white I guess, a fucking great creation! I just love the way it gives colours another level, it's like it's so shit, it's fookin brilliant!

What is your favourite surface to paint on?

That would have been steel, it was the environment, the smell, the sounds and the hair standing on the back of your neck that all added to the application.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

Yep, "Maniac", without a doubt, done in Plaistow around 1986/7. Crane was my sidekick for that one. It's a great representation of what was the Urge / W3K Crew signature style for around that time, not typically a London Style for that period and I'd like to think timeless.

What kind of music are you into?

• Electro
• Breaks
• Techno
• Hip Hop

What is the last album you bought?

Beastie Boys - "Check Your Head - Remastered". Beleive me, I don't buy much these days but those guys take me back to a golden era and I don't think I'm alone on that one.

What are you working on currently and what plans do you have for the future?

I can't say that I have any real plans, these days it seems to be that I don't know that I'm painting until the day before and often only have half an outline.

Anything else you would like to add?

A big thanks to Vino and all attendees of the 'Back To The Old Wall' paint jam back in Oct 2007 and the many writers that I have met through the internet. These are the people that are responsible for my return due to such positive feedback. It's been nice to know that I was never forgotten.

For further information about Urge please visit:

Urge Profile

Urge MySpace Page

Urge Flickr Photostream

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